USA > Indiana > History of the One hundred and sixty-first regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry > Part 16
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Cantrell, James, West End, Ill., Farmer.
Casey, Benjamin F., Owensville, Ind., Farmer.
Cawthone, Arthur, New Harmony, Ind., Clerk, discharged Feb. 7, 1899.
Cooper, Levi, Ft. Branch, Ind., Farmer.
Cox, Charles F., Princeton, Ind., Laborer.
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HISTORY OF THE
Cox, George, Carmi, Ill., Farmer.
Crilley, James, Ft. Branch, Ind., Farmer.
Cunningham, Isaac N., Hazelton, Ind., Farmer, discharged Sept. 27, 1898.
Drear, Thomas, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Carpenter.
Easmon, Jacob, Carmi, Ill., Laborer.
Frohman, Peter, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Farmer.
Grabert, Gustave W., Mt. Vernon, Ind., Miller.
Hanks, Charlie, Princeton, Ind., Laborer. Harding, George F., Golden Gate, Ill., Farmer. Hayes, William S., Mt. Vernon, Ind., Farmer. Hill, Richard, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Farmer. Holleman, Porter G., Mt. Vernon, Ind., Machinist.
Edwards, Calie, Scalesville, Ind., Farmer.
Estes, Samuel, New Harmony, Ind., Brickmason.
Houchin, Otta D., Pikeville, Ind., Farmer.
Jones, Lemuel P., Mt. Vernon, Ind., Grocerman. Kaedel, Andrew, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Farmer.
Kennedy, John, Dekoven, Ky., Coalminer.
Koerner, Ferdinand, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Teacher.
Kuykendall, Noah, Bufkin, Ind., Farmer.
Lance, James, New Harmony, Ind., Farmer, discharged Jan. 25, 1899.
Lance, John, New Harmony, Ind., Farmer.
LeGrange, Oscar W., West Franklin, Ind., Carpenter.
Maus, Charles G., Mt. Vernon, Ind., Farmer.
Males, John W., Mt. Vernon, Ind., Moulder.
Marshall, David R., Mt. Vernon, Ind., Machinist.
McAtee, George, Oatsville, Ind., Farmer, discharged, Jan. 27,1899.
Meadows, Floyd, Princeton, Ind., Farner, discharged Mar. 2, 1899.
Miller, Charles A., Mt. Vernon, Ind., Farmer.
Murphy, George A., Fitzgerald, Ga., Farmer.
Murphy Orval, Fitzgerald, Ga., Farmer.
Newell, Frank, Joplin, Mo., Farmer.
Nicholson, Arthur, Springerton, Ill., Farmer.
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
Nuthmann, Charles, Princeton, Ind., Railroad Caller. Ott, Floyd, Princeton, Ind., Boilermaker. Parke, James, Spurgeon, Ind., Farmer. Parmer, Marion, Emma, Ill., Farmer. Pearson, John F., Hazleton, Ind., Farmer. Pfeifer, August, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Tailor.
Phifer, George B., Booneville, Ind., Engineer, dishonorably discharged Feb. 25, 1899. Pirnat, Albert, Evansville, Ind., Druggist. Powers, William M., Madisonville, Ky., Farmer.
Reavis, Fred G., Princeton, Ind., Stone Cutter. Redenour, Frank, New Harmony, Ind., Hostler. Reed, Robert R., Booneville, Ind., Shoemaker. Rose, Henry, Owensville, Ind., Laborer. Schaefer, August E., Mt. Vernon, Ind., Harnessmaker. Singleton, Perry F., Pikeville, Ind., Farmer. Sluder, Lafayette, Henderson, Ky., Farmer. Smith, Jay J., Hazleton, Ind., Farmer. Smith, Henry, Owensville, Ind., Lather.
Switzer, Lyman, Princeton, Ind., Carpenter.
Spencer, Samuel, Owensville, Ind., Farmer. Summers, John, Evansville, Ind., Butcher. Trapp, William, Carmi, Ill., Poultry Dresser.
Turner, Burl E., Owensville, Ind., Laborer, transferred to Hospital Corps Aug. 28, 1898. Vint, Everett, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Farmer. Wallace, Peter, Booneville, Ind., Farmer.
Walter, Edward, Mt. Vernon, Cook, transferred to Hospital Corps Aug. 20, 1898. Ward, Clarence E., New Harmony, Ind., Farmer. Weissinger, Jesse, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Carpenter. Westfall, Thomas A., Hazleton, Ind., Farmer. Williams, Harry, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Farmer. Woerner, William, Evansville, Ind., Molder. Yeager, Harvey, Owensville, Ind., Farmer.
Baldwin, Walter, Mt. Vernon, Ind., Carpenter, enlisted Aug. 5,1898.
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HISTORY OF THE
Corkin, William L., Indianapolis, Ind., Barber, enlisted Dec. 9, 1898.
Hoge, Smith, Delphi, Ind., Student, enlisted Aug. 10, 1898. Norton, Nelson, Sullivan, Ind., Farmer, transferred from 159th Ind. Inf., Nov. 19, 1898.
Stalnaker, Morton, Terre Haute, Ind., Laborer, enlisted Dec. 10, 1898.
COMPANY I.
WILLIAM GUTHRIE.
Captain William Guthrie was one of the ablest men in the regiment; he is a lawyer by profession, and although he came into the service without any previous military training, he made out of his raw recruits a company of most excellent regimental standing. Captain Guthrie is a native of Ohio, being born in Hamilton in the year 1852. When a child his parents moved to Indiana, settling in the county of White. It was in the common schools of this county the young man began his early educational training; entering the high school of Monticello, the county seat, he studied in that institution until a few years later he went to Logansport and finished his course in the Academy of that place. For eleven years after graduation he was a teacher in the schools of his county and in 1880 was elected to the position of county superintendent of public instruc- tion, when he was but twenty-eight years of age, which position he filled until the year 1884. While teaching he used his spare time in the study of law and was admitted to the bar of his adopted county in 1880, where he has since been practicing his profession in the law firm of Guthrie & Bushnell. He was a man of exemplary habits and took unusual interest in the morale of his company.
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
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CAPTAIN WILLIAM GUTHRIE.
ANTHONY A. ANHEIRE.
First Lieutenant Anthony A. Anheire was born in the city Logansport, June 29, 1867, and received his early education in the German Catholic schools of that place, after which he entered Hall's Business College, also situated in Logansport. After completing his education he accepted a position with the Pittsburg, Cincinnati & St. Louis railroad, which position he retained for eight years. In 1886 Mr. Anheire moved to Monticello, where for sev-
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HISTORY OF THE
eral years he engaged successfully in the cigarmaking busi- ness and where he served for two years as city marshal, which position he occupied when he enlisted as first lieutenant of the company that came out from that place.
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FIRST LIEUTENANT ANTHONY A. ANHEIRE.
Lieutenant Anheire was the first officer of the regiment to place his foot upon Cuban soil, being of a detail that preceded the regiment on the Roumania, that carried the greater portion of the regimental livestock. Mr. Anheire was on detached service while in Cuba with the Tenth Infantry at Havana and Mantanzas, leaving the regiment on December 10, and returning a few days before its departure for America.
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
JOHN R. WARD.
Second Lieutenant John R. Ward was born in White county, Indiana, on the first day of April, 1872. He was educated in the city schools of Monticello, after which he spent one year in the State Normal schools of Valparaiso,
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SECOND LIEUTENANT JOHN R. WARD.
and then entered the State University at"Bloomington. in 1893, where he graduated in the school of law in 1893; in the same year he was admitted to the bar and was appointed to the position of deputy prosecuting attorney in his native city, Monticello, in which place he was engaged in the 20
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HISTORY OF THE
practice of his profession when he enlisted and came out as second lieutenant of Company I.
HISTORY OF COMPANY I.
"The Volunteers! the Volunteers! God send us peace, through all our years; But if the cloud of war appears We'll see them once again."
WILLIAM HAINES LYTLE.
Yesterday shapes and colors to-day and history repeats itself. The example set by the fathers in 1861 was imitated by the sons in 1898. As soon as it was learned that war with Spain was imminent an enthusiastic public meeting, called by Tippecanoe Post, G. A. R., was held in the Court House at Monticello, April 21st, 1898, and after patriotic addresses and songs resolutions were read and adopted which concluded as follows:
"Being actuated by that patriotic spirit that has sustained our flag on land and sea and carried it to final victory on all occasions of the past, we hereby declare our full confidence in our National and State authorities. And we most respectfully represent to the Governor of the State of Indiana that we are now ready to perform in behalf of our Government and State such services in the present conflict with Spain as may be in our power and in his judgment required by the occasion."
A company was at once organized and the Governor of the State was notified that it was ready to be mustered into service at a moment's warning. This was before troops were called for, but the Governor assured Captain Guthrie and Lieutenants Anhier and Ward that the com- pany would surely be needed, and said for them to drill it
COMPANY I.
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HISTORY OF THE
and put it into condition for service, and on June 30th, 1898, he sent the following message:
"CAPTAIN WM. GUTHRIE: Your company will report at Indianapolis on next Monday, coming via " Monon." You will await further instructions from A. F. Houghton, Master of Transportation. JAMES A. MOUNT, Gov."
Upon receipt of this message the Captain wrote the Governor asking that the company be allowed to remain in camp at the Fair Grounds west of Monticello until Tuesday, July 5th, in order that the men might spend Sunday at home and celebrate "The Fourth" at Monti- cello. This request was granted and while some of the men spent Saturday and Sunday at home the parents of others visited them in camp. Monday, the Fourth, was spent at Monticello in celebrating and making final arrange- ments for departure. The ladies of the town served dinner to the company in the Court House.
Tuesday came and with it came friends from far and near to say good-bye and see the company take its depart- ure. The G. A. R. and different civic organizations of the town turned out and escorted the company to the train and at 2:34 P. M., amid the boom of cannon, the waving of flags and handkerchiefs and tears of friends, the Company boarded the train for Indianapolis where on July 13th, 1898, it was mustered in as Company I, One Hundred and Sixty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
The company was constantly with the regiment and participated in all its movements until January 8, 1899, when it was detailed on provost duty at Marianao, Cuba, where it remained until January 24th, returning to the regiment on that day.
The muster-out occurred on April 30, 1899, and on the same day the company took the train for home, returning
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NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, COMPANY I.
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HISTORY OF THE
by Washington, D. C., and Indianapolis, Indiana. Arrangements had been made for a review of the whole regiment at Washington by the President, but owing to the unexpected delay of trains this was not fully carried out. However, as this company and three others arrived on the first section of the train on Monday evening, May Ist, they were met by a committee of Indianians who escorted them to the White House where they were permitted to pass through the reception room. Each member of the company was presented with a silk badge bearing a cut of the Capitol building and these words: "Greeting: 161st Regiment Indiana Volunteers. By Indianians in Washing- ton, D. C., May Ist, 1899."
Elaborate arrangements had been made for the recep- tion of this and the Michigan City and Hammond com- panies on Tuesday evening, May 2, but the previous delay of the train made this impossible and in lieu of this an early breakfast was served on Wednesday morning. The generous and loyal hospitality of the ladies was greatly appreciated by the companies, and the greeting extended them by the Governor and his acceptance of the regi- mental flag and colors were most touching, eloquent and inspiring.
The company reached Monticello at 12 M., May 3rd, and were received with that joy that resides only in the hearts of those who have been anxiously waiting for the return of departed and long absent children. The home greeting will ever be remembered. Again the cannon boomed, flags waved, and bands discoursed music, while excited crowds surged along the streets, keeping pace with the boys and clasping their hands as they marched to the room where a home-coming feast had been prepared by the ladies of the town. The rapture of the delighted populace, the bounteous dinner, and address of welcome left an
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
impress in the minds of the receiving as well as the return- ing never to be eradicated, and fully demonstrated the loy- alty that resides in the hearts of the American people.
COMPANY I ROSTER.
WILLIAM GUTHRIE, Captain, Monticello, Lawyer.
ANTHONY A. ANHEIR, 1st Lieut., Monticello, Cigar- maker.
JOHN R. WARD, 2d Lieut., Monticello, Lawyer.
SERGEANTS.
Strubbe, Harry E., Goodland, Plumber, promoted 1st Sergt. Nov. 29, 1898, from corporal.
Imes, Fred. S., Q. M. Sergt., Monticello, Clerk, appointed Quartermaster Serg't from corporal Dec. 22, 1898.
Best, William D., Brookston, Laborer, mustered in as Serg't July 13, 1898.
Cromer, Robert H., Logansport, Clerk, mustered in as Serg't July 13, 1898.
Kassabaum, George W., Kentland, Lawyer, mustered in as Serg't July 13, 1898.
Hubbard, Charles E., Francesville, Farmer, mustered in as Serg't July 13, 1898.
CORPORALS.
Thompson, Clinton H., Monon, Student, mustered in as Corp. July, 13, 1898.
Hausman, William Earl, Rensselaer, Salesman, mustered in as Corp. July 13, 1898.
Holdridge, Leroy L., Wolcott, Farmer, mustered in as Corp. July 13, 1898.
Goodwin, Marion L., Battle Ground, Farmer, mustered in as Corp. July 13, 1898.
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HISTORY OF THE
Wallace, Lew, Battle Ground, Carpenter, mustered in as Corp. July 13, 1898.
Burns, John, Logansport, Clerk, mustered in as Corp. July 13, 1898.
Garrigues, John U., Francesville, Carpenter, mustered in as Corp. July 13, 1898.
Gorman, Daniel V., Logansport, Express Agent, promoted Corp. from private Nov. 29, 1898.
Graham, John W., Kirkland, Laborer, promoted Corp. from private Nov. 29, 1898.
Gibson, Frank E., Remington, Telegrapher, promoted Corp. from private Nov. 29, 1898.
Coen, Newel M., Monticello, Clerk, promoted Corp. from Artificer Dec. 22, 1898.
Loughry, Howard, Monticello, Student, promoted to Corp. from private Dec. 21, 1898.
соок.
Smock, Thomas W., Indianapolis, Cook, enlisted and enrolled as cook, Dec. 2, 1898.
MUSICIANS.
Conner, Charles A., Reynolds, Traveling Salesman.
Comer, William E., Reynolds, Carpenter.
PRIVATES.
Arrick, K. Guy, Monticello, Tanner.
Arnold, Charles E., Delphi, Machinist.
Ballard, Samuel P., Monon, Ditcher.
Bates, Wilbur F., Monticello, Harness Manufacturer.
Benica, Louis C., Logansport, Cook.
Best, Charles A., Brookston, Ditcher.
Bowman, George, Battle Ground, Farmer.
Boyles, Charles S., Battle Ground, Hunter. Boyles, Benton A., Battle Ground, Barber. Bugbee, George J., Remington, Teacher. Burden, John W., Monticello, Laborer.
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
Brown, Arthur H., Monticello, Student.
Cooley, George, Brookston, Laborer.
Cowger, Raymond, Monticello, Farmer. Crafton, Paul, Bedford, Ind., Farmer. Crowell, Richard, Monticello, Clerk. Coombs, Edward, Brownstown, Laborer, transferred from Co. G, 159th Ind. to 161st Ind., Dec. 1, 1898.
Dillman, William O., Battle Ground, Well Driller. Downs, William A., Battle Ground, Carpenter.
Didlake, Roy P., Monticello, Student. Diffy, John, Pickard, Laborer. Evans, Albert, Wheatfield, Laborer. Fehrle, John G., Goodland, Laborer. Fox, Stuart T., Monticello, Student. Garwood, Corydon, Monon, Farmer. Goodrich, Guy, Wolcott, Carpenter. Guest, Frank A., Monticello, Laborer. Hager, Charles A, Logansport, Cigarmaker.
Hartz, John F., Logansport, Boilermaker. Hart, Joseph, Monticello, Farmer. Hawkina, William J., Rensselaer, Farmer. Hayward, Lorenzo, Monon, Farmer. Heglin, William, Monon, Cook. Herron, Richard, Monticello, Cigarmaker. Hurst, William A., Battle Ground, Barber. Hollcraft, Charles H., Hammond, Laborer. Horner, George W., Knox, Ind., Farmer. Karp, George A., Monticello, Student. Lee, Claude J., Logansport, Railroader. Lefler, Israel J., Francesville, Hostler.
Leslie, Albert, E., Monon, Railroader. Longwell, John, Francesville, Farmer. Langner, Gustave A., Evansville, Laborer, transferred from Co. M, 159th Ind., to Co. I, 161st Ind., Dec. 4, 1898. Mahoney, Daniel, Bessemer, Mich., Brakeman. Mair, Albert, Monon, Baker.
Meyer, Henry Gustave, Remington, Painter.
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HISTORY OF THE
Montrose, Jesse, Peru, Papermaker.
McCloud, Edward E., Sheldon, Ill., Clerk.
McChristy, Enos A., Round Grove, Farmer.
McNett, Walter, Wolcott, Farmer.
Murphy, Charles L., Remington, Farmer.
Myers, Oliver C., Brookston, Farmer.
Maxey, William, Booneville, Farmer, transferred to Co. I, 161st Ind., from Co. M, 159th Ind., Dec. 1, 1898.
McConnell, John F., Evansville, Clerk, transferred to Co. I. 161st Ind., from Co. M, 159th Ind., Dec. 1, 1898. Miller, Reverdy J., Bloomington, Laborer, transferred to Co. I, 161st Ind., from Co. H, 159th Ind., Dec. 4, 1898.
Netzel, William, Medaryville, Laborer.
Pettit, William, Monticello, Laborer.
Reynolds, Elmer E., Monticello, Farmer.
Rogers, Alva J., Monon, Farmer.
Rinier, Edward L., Hopedale, Farmer.
Sheets, Samuel H., Monon, Farmer.
Shide, Frank, Remington, Farmer.
Simons, Walter A., Monticello, Student.
Smith, Bruce W., Goodland, Laborer.
Sorrel, Perry H., Rensselaer, Harnessmaker.
Stanley, Melvin, Monon, Farmer. Strebe, Edward, Brookston, Blacksmith.
Tanguy, William E., Logansport, Printer.
Tharpe, Walter C., Rensselaer, Farmer.
Tharpe, Wilber, Rensselaer, Teacher.
Thompson, Wilber L., Monon, Railroader. Tice, Stephen E., Goodland, Farmer.
Ward, James A., Monticello, Student.
Whitted, Elmer, Francisville, Painter.
Wood, Oliver H., Remington, Farmer.
Young, Harrison, Roachdale, Farmer.
DISCHARGED BY ORDER.
Shaull, Henry A., private, Lochiel, Farmer, discharged per
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
Special Order No. 6, War Department, Adjutant Gen- eral's Office, Jan. 6, 1899.
Rourke, John P., private, Monon, Tailor, discharged per Special Order No. 16, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Jan. 18, 1899, order dated Jan. 30, 1899. Henry, Hiram, private, Monticello, Farmer, discharged Jan. 24, 1899, per Special Order 21, War Department, Adjutant General's Office.
McDaniels, George A., wagoner, Battle Ground, Farmer, dis- charged per Special Order No. 26, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, dated Feb. 1, 1899.
Newton, James B., private, LaFayette, Laborer, discharged Jan. 30, 1899, per Special Order dated Feb. 4, 1899. Brooks, Edward E, private, Logansport, Laborer, discharged. per Special Order 29, War Department, Adjutant Gen- eral's Office, Feb. 4, 1899.
TRANSFERRED.
Scott, Franklin G., Goodland, Carpenter, transferred to United States Volunteer Hospital Corps, per Special Order No. 10, dated August 20, 1898.
Dexter, Jacob W., Goodland, Carpenter, transferred to United States Volunteer Hospital Corps, per Special Order No. 10, dated August 20, 1898.
Tharpe, Walter A., musician, Remington, Teacher, trans- ferred to United States Voluntser Signal Corps Dec. 10, per Special Order 282, Adjutant General's Office, dated Nov. 30, 1898.
Engle, Walter M., Francisville, Electrician, transferred to United States Volunteer Signal Corps Dec. 31, 1898, per Special Order 291, Adjutant General's Office, dated Dec. 10, 1898.
DIED OF DISEASE.
Kuns, Clarence D., Brookston, Barber, died Sept. 24, at Third Division Hospital o" typhoid fever, Camp Cuba Libre, Fla.
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HISTORY OF THE
Stivers, Wallace D., Corp., Rensselaer, Farmer, died at Third Division Hospital, of typhoid fever, Camp Cuba Libre, Fla., Oct. 14, 1898.
Kepperling, George, Chalmers, Farmer, died Oct. 23, at Chal- mers, Ind., while on furlough.
Weaver, William G., Monticello, Farmer, died in Second Division Hospital, Camp Onward, Ga., Nov. 7, 1898, of stomach trouble.
Turner, Joseph F., San Pierre, Blacksmith, died in Division Hospital, Camp Onward, Ga., Nov. 30, 1898, of pneu- monia.
COMPANY F.
PAUL COMSTOCK.
Captain Paul Comstock is the son of Judge D. W. Comstock, of the Appellate Bench of Indiana. He was born at Richmond, Indiana, in the year 1873. After his early training he spent one year in the Oxford Military Naval Academy, at the close of which he entered the Rich- mond high school, graduating in 1891; his education was then finished in the Earlham College and the Ohio Wes- leyan University. Mr. Comstock was then tendered a posi- tion in the general superintendent's office of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company at Columbus, and later in the engin- eering department at Indianapolis, in which position he con- tinued until April, 1898, when he was appointed claim agent for the same road, in which service he was engaged when he enlisted for the war. Mr. Comstock was elected first lieutenant of his company and was for several months adjutant of the Second Battalion and upon the resignation of Captain Smith was promoted to the position of captain, April 1, 1899.
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
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CAPTAIN PAUL COMSTOCK.
ELMER E. KIMMEL.
Second Lieutenant Elmer E. Kimmel, " Old Kim, " as: he was familiarly known, is the son of Charles F. and Cath- erine S. Kimmel, sturdy German stock. The father, a vet- eran of the Civil war, following the desires of his heart to give his first son a good name, remembered an illustrious officer who was among the first to give up his life for the union, Colonel E. Elmer Ellsworth, and called the son,
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HISTORY OF THE
born to him, August 3, 1874, Elmer Ellsworth Kimmel. Educated in the public schools of his native city, Dayton, Ohio, at the early age of thirteen, he began the struggle of life. The start was made as a cash boy at one dollar and a half per week, but not having a liking for mercantile
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SECOND LIEUTENANT ELMER E. KIMMEL.
business finally drifted into book binding, at which trade he served a full apprenticeship. While following this trade he drifted into Richmond, Indiana, in June, 1894, adopting Hoosierdom as his chosen home; while here the desire came for a more complete education and having a favorable op- portunity of working his way through Earlham, a Quaker college, he spent two years at that institution, from which
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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INDIANA.
place he enlisted as a member of the Richmond company and was commissioned second lieutenant, which office he filled until the resignation of Captain Will M. Smith, when promoted to the first lieutenancy. It is the intention of Lieutenant Kimmel to enter Ann Arbor University, taking up medicine as a special study.
WILLIAM H. DRAPIER.
Second Lieutenant Drapier's life has been spent in the city of Indianapolis, in which place he was born in 1869,
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SECOND LIEUTENANT WILLIAM H. DRAPIER.
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HISTORY OF THE
and in the public schools of which he received his educa- tion, graduating from the high school in 1887. After grad- uation Mr. Drapier embarked in the insurance business and there continued until the breaking out of the Spanish-Amer- ican war. He enlisted with Company F as a private and was rapidly advanced through the line of promotion to the position of second lieutenant of the company. Mr. Drap- ier's promotion was due to his efficient and excellent mili- tary training, having served several years in various capaci- ties in the Indiana National Guard.
HISTORY OF COMPANY F.
Richmond, the " Quaker City," is generally quiet, but when the news came of the blowing up of the Maine it woke up. Several enterprising young men, about four or five, who desired a captain's commission started a com- pany, but as the city did not have a military company, she must wait for the second call before being represented in the army of the United States. Interest waned until the company organized by Will M. Smith was alone in the field. This company was at first intended to be an artillery company, and besides drilling in infantry drill quite a num- ber of the men purchased old French bayonets, almost two feet long, and practiced the saber drill. We had free access to a large hall, and the gas company, with true patriotism, furnished the light gratis. The company met two nights each week, and after drilling a short time in the hall would drill around the court house square. In the meanwhile another company was organized, and for a time there was intense rivalry as to which company would be called upon after the second call came and it was known that Wayne county would have one company in the state quota.
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COMPANY F.
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HISTORY OF THE
During the latter part of June it was daily expected that the call would come from the governor to come to Indianapolis. The signal agreed upon was for the large
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CAPTAIN WILL M. SMITH.
manufacturing concerns to blow their whistles. Friday, June 24, the governor telegraphed who was to be the examining surgeon-Dr. Weist, a veteran of the Civil war, and at 4 P. M. the whistles gave the discordant alarm and the boys left their work benches, dropping their tools and hastened to the room in the Westcott hotel, where the news was read to them, telling them to be in readiness. Saturday and Sunday was spent in medical examinations, and Monday we expected to go to the state capitol; instead we were ordered to await further orders. Something must be done, as many had come in from the country and neigh- boring cities, expecting to leave Monday, and others having left their work would become impatient. Glen Mills, a natural park situated on the eastern side of Richmond, was decided would be a good place for a temporary camp, and
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